Pine City Fire Department

03/26/2026

When do I need a burning permit?

You need an open burning permit when:

When the fire is more than 3 feet high and 3 feet in diameter.
When the ground is not completely covered by a minimum of 3 inches of snow.
When the fire is not contained in either an approved burner or in a cooking or heating device such as charcoal grill or camp stove.

There may be additional restrictions based on municipal code or ordinances.

What can I burn?

You may burn vegetative material, such as grass, leaves, brush, and unpainted/untreated lumber.

You may obtain a permit in three ways:

Any DNR Forestry Office.
A fire warden.
Purchase a burning permit online. (Note: There is a $5 charge per calendar year for this service.)

If you want to burn in the City of Pine City, you will need to obtain a permit from the Pine City Fire Chief.

More information available on the Minnesota DNR website and the City of Pine City’s website.

01/19/2026

Please check your smoke alarm and CO alarm batteries.

01/19/2026

As temperatures plummet this weekend, fish houses are great places for some respite from the cold and wind.

We want to remind everyone about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning in fish houses and ice shelters.

Always keep vents open when using heaters, generators, or cooking equipment inside your fish house. Proper ventilation is critical to prevent dangerous gas buildup. Check vents and exhaust pipes often and keep them clear of snow and ice, as even partially blocked vents can cause carbon monoxide to build up quickly.

Carbon monoxide has no smell and no warning signs you can detect. You won’t know it’s there until it’s too late.

Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

✔️ Headache
✔️ Dizziness or lightheadedness
✔️ Nausea
✔️ Fatigue or confusion

If you or someone with you starts feeling these symptoms, get into fresh air immediately.

Simple steps like keeping vents clear, ensuring proper ventilation, and maintaining equipment can save lives. Please share this message and help keep others safe this season.

12/03/2025

Please protect your family and others. Change your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and test them regularly.

Working alarms save lives.

Early detection is very important to escape a fire.

12/03/2025

As we are getting into the winter season, please help by keeping the fire hydrants clear for emergency access.
By keeping the snow clear of the fire hydrants, it will save the fire department time to get water if needed in an emergency.

04/29/2025

Remembering our Fallen...

Volunteer Firefighter Jeremy Jylka
Pine City Fire Department
End of Watch 29 APR 2008

Jeremy was a passenger in a grass rig on the way to a wild land fire when he became unresponsive. He was treated by fellow firefighters, but Jeremy was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after his arrival.

Jeremy served in the Navy and held a job at a local business in Pine City.

03/01/2025

Wildfire season is coming. We’re ready, are you?

With little to no snow cover and warming temperatures, wildfires can start easily and spread quickly through dry vegetation.

Get ready:

• Check any recent burning and ash removed from wood-burning stoves or heaters to ensure they’re completely out. If you find warmth, drown with water, stir, and repeat until it’s out COLD.

• Get your burning permit for any fire over 3 feet by 3 feet.

• Check fire danger and burning restrictions before lighting a match: mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions

Keep safety top of mind and get ready to help prevent wildfires this spring.

12/21/2024

12/13/2024

Burning permits are required for fires larger than 3 feet high x 3 feet wide until at least 3 inches of snow covers the ground. And some counties and jurisdictions require permits year round. See if a permit is required in your county before burning at mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions

The green on this map is where there’s currently enough snow that burning permits are not required. The blue area still requires a burning permit for fires larger than a campfire.

You can take a few simple steps to burn safely and protect yourself, your home, and your community.

✔️ Pick a good spot to burn vegetative debris before you start the pile. Lowland areas pose a higher risk of burning down into the dry organic soil layer and staying hot for long periods of time.

👁️ Always supervise the fire, keeping water and a shovel nearby.

💧 Make sure your fire is completely out cold. Drown the site with water, stir any coals, and feel for residual heat. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.

12/10/2024

The Pine City Fire Department was busy training on propane emergencies recently. Thanks to Lakes Gas for the propane.

11/01/2024